Why is the meeting being held?

Aug. 5, 2010

The federal Environmental Protection Agency has begun a $1.9 million study to evaluate potential risks associated with hydraulic fracturing, and is seeking public input on what should be studied and how it should proceed. The study is in its introductory phase, and is expected to be completed by the end of 2012, according to the EPA.

Where else has the EPA held meetings?

The meeting is the last of four meetings the EPA scheduled, and it is the biggest. The others were in Denver, Fort Worth, Texas and Canonsburg, Pa.

When and where will the meeting be held?

There will be three, four-hour sessions on Thursday, Aug. 12: 8 a.m. to noon, 1 to 5 p.m., 6 to 10 p.m.

The location, however, is up in the air. It was originally supposed to be held in Binghamton University's Anderson Center, but the location has not yet been determined.

What does the EPA want to hear from the public?

The EPA is seeking public comment on four major points:

* What should be its highest priority?

* Where are the gaps in current public knowledge?

* Are there data and information it should know about?

* Where does the public recommend case studies occur as part of the larger study.

Who will be able to speak?

Any stakeholder or member of the general public is eligible to speak, but all 300 speaking slots have already been filled through pre-registration. The EPA does expect a few slots to open up by the day of the meeting, and those will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at a registration tent outside the venue.

Who is expected to speak?

As with past public hydro-fracking meetings, a mix of landowners, environmentalists and gas industry representatives are expected to speak. Some of those confirmed are Joint Landowners Coalition of New York Chairman Dan Fitzsimmons, Roger Downs of the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter, and representatives from the Independent Oil & Gas Association of New York.

How many people are expected to Attend?

As of Wednesday, 356 people have pre-registered to attend the morning session, 478 in the afternoon, and 321 in the evening. The public can still register at hfmeeting.cadmusweb.com.

Nearly 1,200 people attended the July meeting in Canonsburg, and the Binghamton meeting is expected to surpass that number.